Khan’s secret Ornn promise revealed: The untold story behind his Worlds 2021 champion selection dilemma
The Unfulfilled Promise: Khan’s Secret Ornn Ambition
In a surprising post-match revelation, veteran top laner Kim ‘Khan’ Dong-ha disclosed his deep desire to select Ornn during the World Championship Grand Final, motivated by a personal vow made to a close friend.
The 27-year-old esports legend, whose illustrious career spanned premier organizations across Korea and China, concluded his professional journey without securing the Worlds trophy as DWG KIA succumbed to EDward Gaming in an electrifying five-game series.
Despite the championship defeat, Khan shared an emotional confession during the post-game media session that captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
When questioned about potential Riven selections—the champion most synonymous with his playstyle—Khan instead revealed his true aspiration involved the Forge God Ornn, driven by a commitment he’d made to a companion.
“My heart was set on playing Ornn,” Khan expressed with visible emotion. “Before joining DAMWON KIA this season, I gave my word to someone special that I would field him at least once. I deeply regret being unable to fulfill that commitment.”
Ornn dominated the competitive landscape during Worlds 2020, appearing in 29 matches while facing 40 bans. This established the mountainous blacksmith as the most selected and second-most prohibited top lane option, ranking fifth overall in combined pick/ban presence. Notably, Khan missed the 2020 tournament entirely as his then-team, reigning champions FunPlus Phoenix, didn’t qualify.
Khan’s Career Finale and Competitive Context
The introduction of mythic items in Season 11, combined with meta evolution favoring mobile champions such as Jayce and Kennen, pushed Ornn completely out of competitive relevance, resulting in zero appearances throughout Worlds 2021.
Here’s who’s on Team Mongolia after Physical: Asia rigging controversy
Who won Physical: Asia? Netflix finale reveals champion team
Pokemon TCG champion forfeits regionals after losing card during pop-off
Khan’s commitment was made to Korean streaming personality ‘Garybro’, recognized as a dedicated Ornn specialist within Korean server communities. The specific arrangement involved Khan pledging that should he secure Worlds victory with DWG KIA, he would designate Ornn as his championship skin selection.
To qualify for Worlds victory skin consideration, champions must be deployed at minimum once by members of the championship squad, explaining Khan’s determination to secure an Ornn appearance.
In February 2021, Khan publicly declared his intention to retire following the season’s conclusion to fulfill mandatory 18-month military obligations, establishing Worlds as his professional swan song.
Despite demonstrating exceptional proficiency with Ornn during the LCK regular season—achieving an impressive 87.5% victory rate across eight appearances—the intensely competitive Grand Final environment eliminated opportunities for such unconventional, meta-divergent selections.
Strategic Analysis: Why Ornn Wasn’t Viable
During the intense five-game series defeat, Khan’s champion selections included Yasuo, Graves (deployed twice), Gragas, and Gwen—reflecting the meta demands against EDward Gaming’s strategic approach.
Professional players frequently face the difficult balance between personal preferences and competitive necessities. The Worlds 2021 meta heavily favored champions with early lane pressure and mobility, making traditional tanks like Ornn strategically disadvantageous against EDG’s composition preferences.
Common mistake: Many aspiring players underestimate how dramatically meta shifts between regular season and international tournaments can impact champion viability. What works in domestic leagues may become completely unviable against international competition with different strategic approaches.
Advanced optimization tip: When preparing for high-stakes tournaments, professional teams create ‘pocket picks’—champions practiced extensively but rarely shown—to surprise opponents. However, these selections must still align with current meta fundamentals to avoid becoming liability picks.
We can only hope Garybro understands the competitive constraints that prevented promise fulfillment, as the respected veteran concluded his professional journey with positive spirit, if not championship glory.
Related Esports Insights
The phenomenon of players making champion promises to friends or fans represents an emerging cultural aspect within professional League of Legends. These commitments create additional narrative layers beyond pure competition, though they sometimes conflict with optimal strategic decisions.
Khan’s retirement story exemplifies the unique challenges faced by Korean esports athletes balancing professional careers with mandatory military service requirements. His graceful exit despite championship disappointment sets a positive precedent for future players navigating similar transitions.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Khan reveals crazy promise that would have seen him play Ornn in Worlds Final Khan's secret Ornn promise revealed: The untold story behind his Worlds 2021 champion selection dilemma